[Elecraft] K2 phase noise

[Stewart Baker]

It is my belief that a lot a technical aspects of Elecraft products are being 
discussed 'Off Reflector' between specific interested individuals.
I think that, because these discussions are not seen by the group, a lot of 
useful information is being missed.

I would like to see these in-depth technical discussion treated in the same 
manner as the "what soldering iron should I use ?" type threads.
Maybe the reflector could be sub-divided ?

END OF RANT ...

73
G3RXQ


 On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 01:26:19 +0000, Fraser Robertson wrote:
> Thank you for the responses and I'm pleased to get some discussion going on
>
> this subject on the reflector.  Phase noise has been brought up before, but
> not discussed in detail.  As I said I've had personal emails about this so I
> know I'm not on my own here.
>
> I should point out that my comments were not intended to 'slag off' the K2,
> and I am not 'obsessed by numbers'.  I don't expect the K2 to have lab grade
> performance, nor to outperform high price rigs.  My sole reason for looking
> into this (believe me I've got better things to do) is due to complaints
> about my signal on air.  These have been from respected and technically
> competent amateurs.  I can go into detail if required.
>
> Several months ago I had some exchanges with Gary and Eric, and sent them
> some analyser plots.  More recently I've done comparisons at 300Hz from
> carrier using a HP8640B as a reference, and I soon should be in a position
> to produce more detailed plots of the close in phase noise.
>
> Although the comparisons I've made clearly show the K2 is inferior to the
> MP, 870 and a home brew rig in this respect as stated, the phase noise
> performance to me seems adequate, however, that doesn't explain the comments
> I've received on air.  I get very similar results with two K2's, one built
> by me and another by GU3MBS, who is a very experienced K2 builder.  Both
> have all the latest mods.  At other times I've received good reports,
> possibly from less critical operators?  I want to get to the bottom of this
> so that I can confidently use my K2 for QRO contesting.  The rig has many
> fine attributes and I take my hat off to Wayne and Eric for their excellent
> design and production engineering.
>
> By the way I've moved the K2 as far as practical from hum sources (>2') and
> even tried enclosing it in a mu-metal shield, so I'm pretty confident that
> magnetic modulation isn't the culprit.
>
> 73 Fraser G4BJM
>
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